Chelsea's Belgian ace, Eden Hazard, has taken the English Premier League by storm ever since his London arrival in June 2012. Signed from Lille on a £32 million transfer fee, he has lit up England's top flight, dazzling football fans with his speed, technical abilities, dribbling, creativity, and much more. And just as his name states, he has proven to be a "hazard" to opponents' defense.
Much is his importance to the London side that reports of a Chelsea exit, due to a rumored rift with manager Jose Mourinho, has caused panic amoongst the Blues fans, with worry over a possible departure of their indispensible wizard.
Born January 7, 1991, in La Louviere, Eden Hazard started off his football career at hometown team Royal Stade Brainois, signing for them at the mere age of four. After moving to Tubize, eight years later, the 23-year-old was scouted by French side Lille before being signed up the the Ligue 1 outfit, in 2005. Hazard worked his way through the reserve team, and by 2008, was appearing for the senior side. From then on, the 1.73 metres star spent four successful seasons with Les Dogues, winning a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France title, claiming two Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards.
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Upon a transfer tug of war between Europe's elite clubs for the Belgian ace's signature, a deal with Chelsea was eventually announced on June 4th. He made his English Premier League debut in a match against Wigan, hitting the ground running, bagging an assist for a Branislav Ivanovic goal in the opening game of the Premier League, before grabbing his first league goal in a match against Newcastle. He racked up 13 goals in all competitions in his first season at Chelsea, ending up as Europa League champions.
In Hazard's second season with Chelsea, he notched up 17 goals in all competitions, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award, alongside the Chelsea's Player of the Year Award, and made the PFA Team of the Year for the second consecutive year, though his side finished trophyless.
Hazard made the PFA Team of the Year in both of his seasons at Chelsea
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In the 2013-14 season, the Chelsea ace claimed the PFA Young Player of the Year award
After appearing for both Belgium's under-17 and under-19 squad, Hazard made his senior debut in a friendly game against Luxembourg in 2008, but had to wait until 20011 for his first international goal. The Chelsea attacker featured nine times in Belgium's FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers, scoring two goals on the journey to Brazil.
Eden Hazard's 2013-14 stats (via ESPNFC.com)
